Retired teacher says Oklahoma has some excellent educators

Recently, Jane Hicks wrote an editorial for the Durant Democrat about some of the problems currently facing Oklahoma schools. It’s no secret that Oklahoma ranks embarrassingly low on educational achievement lists.

Bill allowing retired teachers to return to classroom advances

A bill that would remove restrictions for Oklahoma retired teachers who want to return to public school classrooms has moved from the House to the Senate.

Remaining bills move to House floor

House members have finished hearing bills in committee, and we have moved to voting on those that remain active on the House floor. We started this year with 1,960 bills and resolutions filed by House members. Of that number, 486 made it through the two-step committee process in the House.

State budget figures released

The State Board of Equalization met Feb. 14 to release certified revenue figures for the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget. The Legislature has authority to appropriate up to $12.3 billion, about $1 billion less than was authorized for our current fiscal year.

Choctaw Nation earns International Economic Development Council accreditation

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has been recognized as one of 84 economic development organizations accredited by International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO).

Dear white men

As a White man in America, you are at the top of the cultural food chain. What you say carries weight.

Eighty-year-old man considers having a child with his partner

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a reasonably healthy 80-yearold man who is fortunate enough to have a partner of child-bearing age. She would like to bear us a child, but I am concerned about any potential problems with my old genes and any birth defects that might be caused by them. Please help us decide.

The best gift you can give your pet

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I read about a person who did not vaccinate their house cats, and after one of them got out, lost all of them to feline leukemia. I can relate to this person.

Keep your pets safe during the holidays

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Last Thanksgiving, we had the scare of our life. Our little dog “Mamie” jumped onto the counter and ate a huge amount of the stuffing that I had just scooped out of the turkey!

My neighbor won’t stop feeding stray cats

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My next-door neighbor puts out food for all of the outdoor cats in the area. That includes a lot of strays who are now mingling with the cats who have homes. She even buys specialty cat food if she thinks they don’t like what she’s offering.